An innovative methodology developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory could help speed to market reformulated diesel fuels recently patented by the Department of Energy, resulting in cleaner air and saving consumers an estimated $3.6 billion over the expected 12-year product impact period. The patented technique, called Principal Components Regression Plus, overcomes problems inherent in other emissions predictive techniques that do not take into account real-world conditions. The ORNL system has helped to identify reformulated diesel fuels that provide significantly reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter relative to commercially available diesel fuels. The fuels can also improve vehicle operating characteristics. Savings would be derived from royalty-free nonexclusive licenses to petroleum refiners. DOE's Office of Policy and International Affairs funded development of the methodology and the patented fuels.
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